Resource for
Clubs
and
Individuals
Join The Fight and Help Save the Hobbies
Web Link to the MDHTALK Legislation and Regulations Metal Detecting Page
NEW
WWATS - Texas Treasure Show 2009 Keith Wills
The following eight - 10 minute You Tube videos represent Keith Wills presentation on the condition of the Metal Detecting Hobby and what can be done.
Video One, Video Two, Video Three, Video Four, Video Five, Video Six, Video Seven, Video Eight
Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs
Inc. (FMDAC)
FMDAC Website
FMDAC Facebook Page
The Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs Inc. (FMDAC) was organized in 1984 as a legislative and educational organization and incorporated, as a non-profit, non-commercial, non-partisan organization.
The FMDAC's Mission: The FMDAC is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection for the hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.
The FMDAC's Purpose:
To unite, promote and encourage the establishment of metal detecting clubs.
To preserve the sport / hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.
To make available to FMDAC clubs and Independent members information pertaining to the hobby and to keep members informed as to active legislation.
The FMDAC's Goal is to Educate and inform the public as to the merits of recreational metal detecting.
News Grams
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January
November 16, 2019
City of Savannah, Georgia ARCHAEOLOGY RESOURCE PROTECTION DRAFT ORDINANCE Read More
April 17, 2018 Press Release
Hello to all members and non members. Please read the announcement below direct from the FMDAC President, Mark Schuessler
Target Recovery Certification Program
The Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs will be conducting its first target recovery course at Treasure Week at Fox Den Acres Campground, July 14 - 21, 2018. This will be our kickoff for the program that we intend to take nationwide. This is an effort to teach proper recovery techniques and stem the tide of sloppy habits that we are seeing becoming prevalent in many areas including the internet. It will take place on the first weekend at a specific times to be announced on Saturday morning.
This course will be conducted in Four parts. The
Part One: is a sit down "classroom" talk. Proper ethics will be discussed along with a discussion of target recovery tools and accessories.
Part Two: will be demonstrations of different recovery techniques that will be shown as many times as necessary.
Part Three: will be practice time. Participants will practice the techniques with any needed assistance from instructors. When they feel confident of the techniques then the final phase will be the test. They will have to demonstrate each of the techniques to the satisfaction of the instructor with no prompting or assistance. After successful completion each person will be given a certification card.
This is a "hands on" course. The reason is quite simple. There are handouts showing proper techniques which we have been distributing for years. Manufacturers talk about it in their instruction manuals. There are places on the internet that you can watch target recovery videos. You can even get a certificate after watching them. These are all good as it does show proper techniques. However they in no way insure that the person can actually do it properly. It only shows that the person can read or click a mouse! Although this course does not insure that any particular individual will use the techniques and do them properly, it DOES show that they have demonstrated that they can do them properly. We will be placing videos on the internet in the near future but they will not take the place of the course.
This certification card can be used when asking permissions. It can also be incorporated into permit systems or used to help reverse or stop detecting bans from happening. The course will be a work in progress. We will make changes as necessary to streamline and improve it. It will also be a two way discussion. There are many, many people who are great at recovering targets and can add to the discussions and may have some things to add to our course. There are many who may be able to go straight from the demo stage to the test phase with no problem at all.
The course is not meant or intended in any fashion to point fingers and no one should be apprehensive about taking part. It is 100% intended to be educational. We also realize that the techniques may need to be modified for different areas of the country according to the ground conditions. This will take place as necessary.
If you will be at Treasure Week on the first weekend then consider sitting in on the course. The hobby you help save will be your own!
November 24, 2017 Press Release
April 28, 2017 FMDAC News Release
Attention everyone......March 15, 2017
Just found out about this bill in the NH legislature. It has already passed the House and is in the Senate. It apparently passed the house by a voice vote. The full text of the bill is below. Really simple as it says dredging is banned. I know this is not metal detecting proper but we are all in this together. Many people are involved in both hobbies. So lets act quickly to try to put the brakes on this one.
Also there are 2 cities that have recently banned detecting. We are working with them on a local level right now.
Here s a link to the NH senate committee where the bill is at right now. Web link
Here is the senate contact page. Web Link
New Hampshire House Bill 591 Sponsors: Web Link
If you live in NH then please contact your senator. If you do not then please contact the committee and any senators and let them know about your vacation plans.
Mark Schuessler, FMDAC National President
August 14, 2016 FMDAC Press Release
SAA Task Force on Professional Archaeologists, Avocational Archaeologists, & Artifact Collectors Web Link
September 07, 2015 FMDAC Presidents Message Read Here
March 05, 2015 FMDAC Presidents Message 1st Qtr Select Here
November 13, 2014 FMDAC Presidents Message Fall 2014 Select Here
May 09, 2014 - Presidents Report on Facebook or View This PDF File
May 09, 2014 - FMDAC's Response to the Massachusetts Metal Detecting Issue Fackbook or View This PDF File
December 27, 2013 - Presidents Report on Facebook
August 24, 2013 - 2013 2nd Qtr President's Report
MDAW - Metal Detecting Association of Washington
MDAW Website
MDAW FaceBook
The Metal Detecting Association of Washington was started to promote, protect and preserve recreational metal detecting here, in the State of Washington. Some of the concerns related to detecting in this state are unique to the Pacific Northwest. As a group we strive to work with hobbyists, in clubs or not, who want to enjoy metal detecting, follow the rules set down about the hobby and in some cases help to change those rules. The MDAW works in cooperation with the Office of Historical and Archaeological Preservation of Washington State and Washington State Parks.
The MDAW is an active organization of metal detecting clubs and individuals throughout Washington State working to promote recreational metal detecting for the public.
A project being worked on at this time is trying to get state parks to open more areas within the designated state recreational lands to recreational metal detecting.
Having completed an educational workshop with staff from the archaeological preservation office of Washington State. We have what we feel is a good working relationship and are working to keep it that way.
On the following pages you will find many parks and other areas that may be open to metal detecting. Always make sure that an area is ok to detect.
Please read these links to the latest WA State Park rules.
Metal Detecting Maps Be sure you check maps and complete a metal detecting brochure.
County and city rules may vary. Please check with the individual parks departments.
Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs
The purpose of the TAMDC shall be to unite, promote, and encourage metal detecting clubs in Texas, through education and instruction in the recovery and preservation of historical facts, relics, and artifacts. It is the intent and charter of this association to develop and maintain a positive image for metal detectorists and their activities at local, state, and national levels through performance of selected community service projects and through adherence to the TAMDC code of ethics.
T.A.M.D.C. Website
T.A.M.D.C. FaceBook Page
The Historical Hearne-Gidden Home Coming Back to Life
From Houston to Ft. Worth, from Dallas to Austin, and all towns in between, twenty metal detectorists from the Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs (T.A.M.D.C.) converged on Kosse, TX on December 16th in partnership with the Kosse Heritage Society for a T.A.M.D.C. “GIVES BACK” Community Service Project. The purpose of the event was to help raise awareness and funds for Kosse Heritage Society’s, Hearne-Gidden Restoration Project, by recovering historical artifacts from the ground around the historical home. Read More
World Wide Association of Treasure
Seekers
(WWATS Website) - Keith Wills
04-25-15 The "State" of Our Hobby
By: Keith Wills
The excitement and adventure of treasure hunting for gold nuggets, old lost coins, lost jewelry, and items from our past is in everyone's blood, for we all seek what we do not have. For me, I started metal detecting as a kid to build my first coin collection, it was much more intriguing to search for lost treasures beneath my feet than simply buy a coin collection, which I could not afford at the time.
For over 43 years now my father and I have enjoyed metal detecting together with great success. I will always have our memories we shared of putting on those headphones and the rest of the world disappearing for us. The sweet competition we shared in seeing at the end of the day which of us had found the nicest piece of jewelry or the most coins. We always look forward to that next treasure hunt adventure. However, as time goes on, many outside forces interrupt our long time-shared fun together, even when we fight to hold on to the right to continue to enjoy it.
Today the average metal detector user finds him or her surrounded by new laws enforced to restrict our freedom to enjoy a recreational pastime. However, it may not be too far in the future we see even our own property and our right to do with that property as we wish, taken from us as well. Everyday new laws are going into effect; new Bills are being pasted by our elected officials that most of us are unaware of. To be honest with you, our government has lost the direction of "for the people" yet now enact more laws "against the people". Special interest groups and our government are pushing Bills to restrict American rights; even in our hobbies we enjoy every day. Read More
Join WATTS Application
The Western Mining Alliance is the organization of
independent miners across the West. Since our inception in the small,
historic mining town of Laporte where we had three people, we have now grown
into a movement of thousands of miners. Based in Reno, Nevada, The Western
Mining Alliance is defending the rights of over 55,000 claim holders across
the West. Our objective is simple, to restore our Constitutional rights to
mine and to present science based evidence on the truth about mining.Western Mining Alliance Website
Western Mining Alliance Facebook Page
AMRA-American
Mining Rights Association is a 501 (c)(3) Non-profit Association and
was created by miners and public land users, for miners and public land
users to preserve and maintain their rights as they pertain to access to
their public lands and their rights to obtain the minerals on those lands.
We are not a gold club but rather an advocacy group.AMRA Website
AMRA FaceBook Page
February News Link
Get
the Latest News from these websites.
Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA)
- News on legal issues for the gold prospecting community.
Gold Prospectors Website
GPAA Facebook Page
February News Link
Prospecting
and Mining Journal
(IMCJ)- News on legal issues in the gold
prospecting community.
Prospecting and Mining Journal Website
IMCJ Facebook Page
February News Link
Public Lands for the People - A 501(c)(3) Non-ProfitOrganization
Public Lands for the People Website
PLP Facebook Page
PLP was constructed for the purpose of representing all outdoor user groups and individuals that are interested in keeping public and private lands open to prospecting, mining, and outdoor recreation on a non-discriminatory basis! PLP assists groups to join forces to maintain the laws and rights of all citizens on public and private lands (Federal, State and City). PLP will assist with representation at public hearings of government agencies that are proposing limitations and restrictions on the lands that belong to the people. PLP DOES LITIGATE! We will file injunctions, when necessary, to prevent governmental agencies from discussing public issues behind closed doors and calling them “personnel meetings”. We will come to the aid of, and give individual attention to, persons or groups who are being harassed, intimidated or mislead by people in authority (in or out of uniform) who are attempting to enforce their own ideas or opinions of laws, rules or regulations, rather than the actual laws, rules or regulations, and what it actually means.
December 23, 2019 PLP Press Release
FOR 30 YEARS: PLP exists to "Represent and assist outdoor user groups and individuals interested in keeping public and private lands open to prospecting, mining and outdoor recreation through education, scientific data and legal means."
PLP Member Wins “No Addition Argument” in CA State Court
For the very first time in California State court a small miner has won the “no addition argument”—this time against the CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.
As some of you may know, PLP member Godfrey won the issue against the Forest Service and CA Water Board in 2015. This win occurred on appeal at the federal level in US District Court.
In this latest case, gold miner Michael Osterbrink was charged by the Sierra County (California) district attorney. They claimed he had “polluted State waters with materials that are deleterious to fish” in violation of section 5650 of the CA Fish & Game code.
Michael Osterbrink is a prospector who was operating a gas-powered dry washer and vac-pack in a remote section of Sierra County. This high elevation area was a dry placer gulch for most of the summer and had piles of rocks left over from the work from miners during the gold rush and Depression era. Osterbrink had found some “chunky” pieces of gold with his metal detector, and then decided to work a pay layer within the gulch with his dry washer and vac-pack. This dry placer and gulch, at the time he worked it, was an intermittent stream course for which the CA Fish & Wildlife has regulatory authority.
The case was heard by Judge Yvette Durant in November 2019. PLP’s legal researcher, Clark Pearson, provided expert testimony on behalf of Osterbrink. Pearson testified that: …"no addition occurred in this case to trigger a violation of section 5650 because no foreign substances were added to the waterway” and he went on to say: “…that a violation of section 1602 is troubling because "substantially" used in this criminal regulation should be found void for vagueness by this court because it was not defined in the regulations or statute.” Pearson cited the Godfrey case as precedent to aid Judge Durant in her deliberations over the alleged violation of section 5650. Read More
November 01, 2019 PLP’s OCTOBER SURPRISE News Release!
PLP takes on CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife! Yes, that’s right.PLP is providing expert help on behalf of a miner who was cited for not having a stream alteration permit for…for…wait for it…DRYWASHING! In an area nearly above timberline where the only water that runs through there is during a rainstorm or when there is some snow melting. The miner was drywashing using a small gas powered drywasher for a short period of time, maybe an hour when he was asked by a ranger to see his permit, which is NOT NEEDED to prospect at this small of a scale. The big point here is that if he loses in court, this will set a precedent in California and a state permit will be required to prospect on Federal or State land. This is a direct assault on the 1872 Mining Law and our mining rights! Please stand with us and help fight the battles that are critical to Small Scale Miners.
We think the California Legislature needs to ban Assault Regulations, those regulations they foist on us that tear at the fabric of our Liberty. And not just in California, but across this great Nation regulations that are at odds with our Constitutionally granted Rights are being foisted on American Citizens. PLP can’t be active in every skirmish, that’s why we do our best to educate our members of their rights and responsibilities as miners and prospectors. Read More
July 22, 2019 PLP Press Release The 2019 Grand Raffle is in the history books! PLP is ramping up for its 30th year of working hard to preserve our rights.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Grand Raffle, both those who donated prizes and those who purchased raffle tickets. Together we made it a success! The raffle is important because it raises needed funds to support the work we are doing to preserve and take back our rights granted to us by the 1872 Mining Act and other key laws.
Here are the 2019 winners: Read More
July 03, 2019 PLP Grand Raffle Looming Ahead Press Relewase
June 18, 2019 PLP Press Release Newsletter The much-anticipated “Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals” has now been released by an interagency report. This strategy was set in motion by President Trump’s Executive Order 13817, “A Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals,” on December 20, 2017. The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with heads of selected executive branch agencies and offices, to submit a report to the President that includes key points to help the ailing U.S. mining industry and the U.S. minerals supply chain.
This report focuses on 6 call to action items, 24 goals, and 61 recommendations that describe specific steps that the federal government will take to achieve the objectives outlined in Executive Order 13817. Call to action number 5 is of the most importance to PLP and our members because this section will benefit the average miner and public lands user who embraces multiple-use access principles upon our public lands. PLP’s Clark Pearson and the ICMJ's Prospecting & Mining Journal’s Scott Harn delivered many educational materials (and complaints) in multiple meetings with federal agency department heads over the course of two years covering many of the points now called for in this new Federal Strategy report.
We wish to thank our membership and our financial sponsors that allowed us to make these important trips to DC so that the decision makers could better understand our specific needs in the over-arching quest for regulatory relief.
The following sub parts of call to action number 5 we wish to highlight and are as follows: Read More
04-30-19 Read the Complete News Release PLP has proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) called “Critical Minerals: National Security Amendments to the NDAA”. This Critical Minerals Amendment, written and proposed by our legal researcher Clark Pearson, solves most of the small miner’s regulatory problems observed by PLP over the last 29 years. A huge amount of research and practical knowledge has gone into this amendment. It was written by a working small miner to help all miners, big and small. It provides clear and concise regulatory certainty in dealing with all regulatory bodies the miner faces today. PLP is presently seeking co-sponsors on the House and Senate side.
This Critical Minerals amendment is a must read and should go down as the most important piece of legislation to help the mining industry in a very long time. You can help us TAKE ACTION! PLP has started a petition drive at: https://www.publiclandsforthepeople.org/take-action/ where you can read the proposed legislation and support material then electronically sign the petition. Your signature, along with thousands of others will be shown to select members of the United States Congress and Senate. The signatures will convince legislators of the groundswell grassroots support and that the time to act is now. ICMJ’s Prospecting and Mining Journal, which has documented our progress in Washington, D.C., also has it available for viewing and comment at: www.icmj.com.
The ICMJ has also taken the lead to receive individual miner and mining association endorsements in support of the “Critical Minerals: National Security Amendments to the NDAA” on their Facebook page or by sending your endorsement to their mailing address:
ICMJ P.O. Box 2260 Aptos, CA 95001
Read the detailed PLP update here: https://www.icmj.com/magazine/article/plp-update-4022/
Please do your part to help us Take It Back and Keep It! Renew your personal, business or club membership and PLEASE HAVE ALL YOUR CLUB members join PLP as well. Encourage everyone to be an active part of the solution and be among those who are making history.
04-15-19 PLP 2019 Grand Raffle is underway! Get your tickets early!
December 19, 2018 PLP Newsletter
August 15, 2018 PLP News Release
July 30, 2018 PLP 2018 Grand Raffle Winners Press Release
June 15, 2018 PLP News Release
May 09, 2018 PLP Press Release
March 01, 2018 PLP News Release
January 14, 2018 PLP Press Release
December 16, 2017 PLP Press Release
December 01, 2017 PLP Press Release
October 20,17 PLP Press Rease
September 08, 2017 PLP News Release
July 12, 2017 PLP Press Release
June 26, 2017 PLP Grand Raffle Press Release
June 09, 2017 PLP News Release
April 09, 2017 PLP Press Release
March 28, 2017 PLP Press Release
February 07, 2017 PLP News Release
December 19, 2016 Latest News Press Release
November 16, 2016 PLP Press Release
November 08, 2016 PLP Press Release
August 24, 2016 PLP Press Release
August 17, 2016 PLP Press Release
July 24, 2016 PLP Press Release
July 20, 2016 Press Release
June 07, 2016 PLP Press Release
May 27, 2016 PLP News Release
March 18, 2016 PLP News Release
March 06, 2016 PLP Press Release
February 29, 2016 PLP Press Release Read More
January 21, 2016 PLP Press Release
January 19, 2016 Press Release
December 17, 2015 PLP Press Release
December 03, 2015 PLP Press Release Annual PLP Christmas Party December 17th
November 26, 2015 PLP Press Release
November 10, 2015 PLP Press Release
October 12, 2015 Feinstein Whitewater Public Meeting Details PLP News Release
September 03, 2105 PLP/MMAC Oktoberfest Fundraise Press Release
August 13, 2015 PLP/MMAC Oktoberfest Fundraiser
August 10, 2015 PLP Request Joshua Tree National Park: Eagle Mountain Follow Up
August 02, 2015 PLP Press Release
July 23, 2015 PLP Press Release
July 06, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 27, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 24, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 12, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 10, 2015 PLP Press Release
May 28, 2015 PLP Latest News Complete Press Release
May 08, 2015 PLP Miners Win Federal Preemption Press Release
May 08, 2015 PLP - Message from the Minerals and Mining Advisory Council (MMAC) Press Release
March 17, 2015 Cleveland National Forest has decided to close more roads PLP Press Release
March 03, 2015 MINERS DECLARE INDEPENDENCE-MMAC Press Release
February 23, 2015 We rolling out a new website PLP News Release & Request
January 21, 2015 A win for PLP is a win for the small scale mining community and all public land users. Read the Complete Press Release
January 14, 2015 PLP Press Release
December 29, 2014 Tribute to Jerry Hobbs Read the Complete Press Release
October 23, 2014 Three things in this press release PLP wants to inform you about. Press Release
October 07, 2014 Press Release The Oregon State House,
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/allow-suction-dredge?source=s.icn.em.mt&r_by=11403933
January 01, 2014 Public Lands for the People marching towards VICTORY! YouTube Video